The intense storm system that slammed our region in mid-December is a good reminder to be prepared for flooding every winter — even in the middle of a severe drought. Flooding can strike quickly with little or no warning. Floodwater can flow swiftly through neighborhoods and away from streams when creeks overbank.

While many areas experienced street flooding due to storm drain systems that could not keep up with the runoff, local creeks were fortunately able to handle the flows. The water district”s flood protection efforts certainly helped avert creek flooding. The district works all year to prepare creeks to carry rain flow by repairing eroded banks and removing debris and accumulated sediment.

Many flood protection projects have been completed over the years, providing protection against a 100-year flood, a flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any year. However, thousands of parcels remain in a 100-year flood zone, and the district and its partner agencies are moving forward with numerous flood protection projects throughout the county to address persistent flood-prone areas.

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States, and can cause billions of dollars in damages. One of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself and your family is to have a family emergency plan and emergency kit for your home and car. Designate a family meeting spot in case of any disaster.

Whether it is an earthquake, a flood or any other emergency, we should all be prepared with a supply of medications, food and drinking water to last at least three days. Learn how to turn off utilities to your home. You may need an adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench to shut off the main gas line at the meter.

We have all seen news footage of cars stuck in flood waters. Avoid driving into flooded areas. A foot of water will cause many cars to float. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pick-ups.

The water district”s outreach and flood risk reduction efforts actually help reduce flood insurance rates. Recently, the district”s efforts accounted for approximately $2.6 million in annual flood insurance premium savings for Santa Clara County residents. Consider purchasing flood insurance, as your basic homeowner”s insurance does not cover losses from flooding.

Despite this reminder that flooding can occur in winter, the drought persists. A good start to the winter is not enough for our groundwater basins to recover from three very dry years. As we saw during 2012-13 winter season, we can have flooding in December and then extremely dry conditions for the remaining winter months. Local conditions are not the only factor to consider. With 55 percent of our water supply coming from outside the county, we must take statewide conditions into account. The state”s first snow survey revealed that the water content is just one third of normal, and the state”s largest reservoirs such as Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville are only about two-thirds of average for this time of year. Given these conditions, our call for 20-percent water use reductions will continue well into 2015.

Water is too precious to use just once. Water conservation is a way of life.

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Richard Santos is available for questions or comments as your District 3 Santa Clara Valley Water District representative for the northern areas of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara, Alviso, Milpitas and the North San Jose and Berryessa communities. Feel free to contact him at (408) 234-7707.